Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

Utilizing Photographs With The Genogram: A Technique For Enhancing Couple Therapy, Jennifer M. Cook, Shruti Poulsen

Shruti Poulsen

The authors propose the use of photographs in conjunction with genograms in the couple therapy process in order to create a dynamic, information rich, and experiential therapeutic environment. The authors explore family-of-origin work with genograms and clients' personal photographs, showcasing the potential usefulness of combining these therapeutic practices to enhance couple therapy. The authors present a case description illustrating how this approach can develop a richer narrative about family-of-origin patterns in the couple system and function as a stimulus for change in the couple relationship.

Therapists' Perspectives On Working With Interracial Couples, Shruti S. Poulsen

Shruti Poulsen

This paper is based on interviews with seven marriage and family therapists (AAMFT Clinical Members) on their experiences of providing therapy to interracial couples in the course of their private practices. The interviews were conducted by the author as part of a masters thesis project. Interracial couples may frequently present for therapy with a variety of generic couples' issues and concerns. However, therapists often find that underlying these more generic concerns are issues related to the ethnic, racial, and cultural differences that the partners bring to the relationship. This paper focuses on the historical context of intermarriage, specific concerns and …

Emotionally Focused Couple Therapy With Couples Facing Terminal Illness, Sarah Tie, Shruti Poulsen

Shruti Poulsen

Research on effective therapeutic interventions for couples dealing with terminal illness is scant. Changes in daily routine, added responsibilities, role changes, and the grief process are all contributors to the enormous stress and emotional strain felt by these couples. Couples where one partner is terminally ill may experience anger, depression, guilt, and anxiety. The authors propose that emotionally focused couple therapy (EFT), originally developed by Greenberg and Johnson (Emotionally focused therapy for couples, Guilford Press, New York, NY, 1988) may be effective in addressing this distress and in facilitating the grieving and support process in couples dealing with terminal …

Awareness Of Culture: Clinical Implications For Couple Therapy [Book Chapter], Shruti Poulsen, Volker Thomas

Shruti Poulsen

This is a chapter in the book Handbook of Clinical Issues in Couple Therapy.

About the book:
Handbook of Clinical Issues in Couple Therapy provides a comprehensive overview of emerging issues that impact couple therapy. Unlike other guides that concentrate more on theoretical approaches, this invaluable resource contains the latest research and perspectives that every clinician needs when dealing with the challenging issues often found in practice. Carefully referenced, it explores a range of issues that include intimate partner violence, posttraumatic stress disorder and its effect on couple relationships, divorce therapy, remarriage and cohabitation issues, cultural issues, and couple therapist …

Open Relationships: A Culturally & Clinically Sensitive Approach [Book Chapter[, D. Fierman, Shruti S. Poulsen

Shruti Poulsen

About the book:

This Brief from the American Family Therapy Academy (AFTA) is a collection of chapters from the AFTA Monograph Series. The chapters specifically address responses to a wide range of contextual phenomena from a relational family therapy perspective. Chapters are grounded in family systems concepts and informed by postmodern perspectives including social justice. The collection provides cutting edge thinking and practices for a variety of experiences that strongly impact individuals and families. Authors address the treatment of couples and families oppressed by socio-contextual phenomena such as war and poverty, and of those marginalized by the insidious impact of …

Cultural Issues In Couple Therapy, Shruti S. Poulsen, Volker Thomas

Shruti Poulsen

There is scant literature in couples and family therapy about the impact of culture in couple therapy. This paper reviews current literature in counseling, multicultural counseling, family therapy, and gender and cultural studies to provide an overview of the significant and pertinent issues related to culture and the couple therapy setting. The paper reviews several aspects of culture including race and ethnicity, gender, social class, and sexual orientation. While by no means a complete review of these issues as they relate to couple therapy, this paper attempts to provide an opening to future dialogue and discourse in this area of …

Interracial Relationships In Hawaii, Paula M. Usita, Shruti Poulsen

Shruti Poulsen

Given the increase in rates of intermarriages, it is vital that we understand the issues and benefits of interracial relationships and the ways in which therapists might assist interracial couples. Our focus in this article is on interracial relationships in Hawaii. Because of its history of promoting interracial ties and its plural character, Hawaii is, in many ways, a unique setting for interracial relationships. At the same time, there are relational issues, benefits, and needs faced by both mainstream U.S. interracial couples and interracial couples in Hawaii. There are a variety of therapeutic interventions that could be used to help …

Narrative Therapy For Adoption Issues In Families, Couples, And Individuals: Rationale And Approach, Lauren D. Stokes, Shruti Poulsen

Shruti Poulsen

This article explores the application of narrative therapy to clinical work with clients’ adoption-related issues. The importance of therapist competency in addressing adoption-related issues is the primary focus for exploring the application of narrative therapy with individual, couple, and family clients experiencing adoption issues. The narrative method can be effective in exploring and understanding the diversity of experience and meanings adoption triad members report in regard to their adoption experiences (Baden & Wiley, 2007; Daniluk & Hurtig-Mitchell, 2003). Multiple realities and meanings emerge as a theme in the adoption literature and as core concepts in the narrative framework.

Couple Therapy And Reiki: A Holistic Therapeutic Integration, Stephanie Stockham-Ronollo, Shruti Poulsen

Shruti Poulsen

Traditional psychotherapy currently tends to advocate for the exclusion of physical touch in the therapeutic context, as an attempt to address the issue of physical and emotional safety for the client and mitigate ethical and legal concerns. However, throughout human history touch has been an important factor in physical, psychological, and emotional healing processes. The authors of this article examine the current implementation of couple therapy modalities and discuss the benefits that Reiki, a biofield touch therapy, could offer in conjunction with traditional couple therapy.

“I Had No Idea This Shame Piece Was In Me”: Couple And Family Therapists' Experience With Learning An Evidence-Based Practice, Robert Allan, Virginia Eatough, Michael Ungar

Robert Allan

This study reports on the experience of shame while learning an evidencebased approach to working with couples or families. Couple and family therapists were interviewed about their experience with learning and using an evidence-based practice (EBP) and the data was analyzed using a phenomenological approach called interpretative phenomenological analysis. The theme of shame emerged from a number of research participants as part of their development with the EBP they were integrating into their practice. Starting with an exploration of the participants’ experiences and the impact of shame, the paper will then link these experiences with the psychological and sociological research …

Couple And Family Therapy Within The Current Pan-Canadian Context, Alan Mcluckie, Robert Allan, Michael Ungar

Robert Allan

Canadians take numerous approaches to couple and family therapy due in part to Canada’s diversity of people and geography, as well as the influence of the health care context, a central facet of our national identity. Tracing back to Nathan Epstein, the founder of family therapy in Canada, there continues to be a strong tradition of couple and family therapy within Canada which has international reach. Formal training in family therapy, as well as couple/marital therapy occurs largely outside of the scope of degree granting programs and university settings. The American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy has a strong …

Developing A Measure Of Fidelity For An Ecological Approach To Family Therapy, Robert Allan, Michael Ungar

Robert Allan

This article reviews of the role of fidelity in family therapy research and how to develop a measure based on a program of research to evaluate the effectiveness of Ungar’s (2011, 2012) social ecological approach to clinical practice. The social ecological approach is a model of intentional practice that helps individuals and families with complex needs, changes problem behaviors, and sustains those changes by increasing their capacity to navigate and negotiate for resources meaningful to them. As a means to illustrate the process of developing a fidelity measure, the rationale and development of the social ecological approach-fidelity measure is presented …

Couple And Family Therapy With Five Physical Rehabilitation Populations: A Scoping Review, Robert Allan, Michael Ungar

Robert Allan

This article provides a scoping review with a focus on the substantive and methodological issues of the research pertaining to couple and family therapy (CFT) with five physical medical rehabilitation populations. We searched for literature concerned with five populations: spinal cord injury, stroke, multiple sclerosis, traumatic brain injury and amputations. A detailed review of CINAHL, PubMed, and PsycINFO databases identified 14 publications that researched couple/family therapy interventions with these populations. We synthesised the data by outlining and charting the substantive and methodological issues with this research. Findings suggest that individuals who have sustained an injury or are diagnosed with an …

Examining The Link Between Exercise And Marital Arguments In Clinical Couples, Bailey Alexandra Selland

Theses and Dissertations

This study examines the following research question: Are couples that exercise on a given day more likely to experience fewer and less intense arguments in their relationship that day? Other variables examined include relationship effect, stress level, and argument topics. Participants were 36 couples in a treatment-as-usual setting who completed the Daily Diary of Events in Couple Therapy (DDECT). Results suggested that female hours of exercise were significantly related to increased report of relationship argument intensity for both men and women. Male hours of exercise were not significantly related to any variables, however male daily stress was significantly related to …

Is It Racist? Addressing Racial Microaggressions In Counselor Training, Krista Malott, Tina Paone, Scott Schaefle, Jiabao Gao

Scott Schaefle

This article describes a series of activities for educating counselors regarding a form of racism dubbed racial microaggressions. Meaning and impact of microaggressions are examined. Activities for responding to microaggressions can be applied to clinical and school contexts, and are useful for educators in professional and university settings.

Comparing Multicultural With General Counseling Knowledge And Skill Competency For Students Who Completed Counselor Training, Jennifer Cates, Scott Schaefle, Marlowe Smaby, Cleborne Maddox, Ireon Le Beauf

Scott Schaefle

This study evaluates the effectiveness of a counselor education program in teaching multicultural counseling knowledge and skills. Standardized examination scores and rater evaluations compare multicultural with general counseling knowledge and skill competency for students who completed a counseling master's program. The relationship between multicultural knowledge and multicultural and general skills is examined. Este estudio evalúa la efectividad de un programa educativo para consejeros a la hora de enseñar conocimientos y habilidades multiculturales en consejería. Se emplean tanto resultados estandarizados de exámenes como evaluaciones docentes para comparar los conocimientos de consejeria y la competencia en habilidades de tipo general con los …

Implementing A Community Intervention To Promote Social Justice And Advocacy: Analysis Of A Town Hall Meeting On Race, Justice, And Peace, Scott Schaefle, Jennifer Cates, Krista Malott, William Conwill, Judy Daniels

Scott Schaefle

A diverse team of counselor educators used a phenomenological qualitative research method to analyze a social justice group intervention—a town hall meeting among a group of students, educators, and mental health professionals that focused on race, justice, and peace. Participants described forms of oppression in their personal and professional lives and strategies to combat them.

Perinatal Mental Health Services: A Preliminary Needs Assessment From The Consumer Perspective, Amara Zee, Jennifer Cates, Scott Schaefle

Scott Schaefle

This study is a preliminary community needs assessment of the current status of services for Perinatal Mood Disorders (PMD) including mental health assessment, prevention, and treatment services available to women in Central Washington State. Due to the prevalence rates of PMD and the negative outcomes for women, children and families, it is important that women at risk for PMD be identified and treated. This study surveyed women who gave birth between one to two years ago about their experiences with health care professionals regarding assessment, prevention, and treatment services. Barriers to care were also considered in the assessment. Results indicate …

Counseling Skills Attainment, Retention, And Transfer As Measured By The Skilled Counseling Scale, Scott Schaefle, Marlowe Smaby, Cleborne Maddox, Jennifer Cates

Scott Schaefle

The purpose of this study was to determine if counseling students acquire counseling skills and transfer those skills to their work with actual clients. Students' skills were measured by the Skilled Counseling Scale at pretest (before training), Posttest 1 (immediately after training), and Posttest 2 (at the end of a master's-degree program). Eighteen of 19 skills scores showed significant improvement from pretest to Posttest 1, and 15 of 19 skills scores showed significant improvement from pretest to Posttest 2.

Using Group Work Strategies To Continue The National Discussion On Race, Justice, And Peace, Krista Malott, Scott Schaefle, William Conwill, Jennifer Cates, Judy Daniels, Michael D'Andrea

Scott Schaefle

There is increasing empirical evidence demonstrating the negative impact of racism and other social injustices on individuals' mental and emotional health. Those findings challenge counselor educators and practitioners to address social injustices in professional training programs and communities across the country. This article illustrates a national advocacy project, whereby a group approach is applied to address social injustices. Application of the model is presented, along with a description of the specific group constructs and skills that were used in the intervention.

Addressing Clients' Experiences Of Racism: A Model For Clinical Practice, Krista Malott, Scott Schaefle

Scott Schaefle

This article synthesizes the literature relevant to coping with racism to provide a 4-stage model for addressing clients' discriminatory experiences. Major suggestions drawn from the literature include applying frameworks with a contextual lens, using broaching and eliciting skills to promote client exploration of racism and the effects of racism on persons of color, enhancing client racial and ethnic identities, and tailoring interventions to the clients' culture and preferred coping strategies.

Conceptualized Heterosexual Theory And Identity Development, Breyan Haizlip, Scott Schaefle, Danica Hays, Jennifer Cates

Scott Schaefle

Through the use of consensual qualitative research and interpretative phenomenology, the present study examined how 50 heterosexually identified counselors-trainees conceptualized their sexual identity development. The results provide support for Conceptualized Heterosexual Theory, which indicates that how heterosexual counselors conceptualize their sexual identity is related to four developmental dimensions: inherent orientation responses, pre-conceptualized heterosexuality, heterosexual identity development, and identification, directed towards 3 distinct identities: interdependent heterosexuality, independent heterosexuality, and unresolved heterosexuality. Implications for counselor education and future research are discussed.

Expanding White Racial Identity Theory: A Qualitative Investigation Of Whites Engaged In Antiracist Action, Krista Malott, Tina Paone, Scott Schaefle, Jennifer Cates, Breyan Haizlip

Scott Schaefle

This article presents outcomes of a qualitative exploration of White racial identity. Ten participants whose characteristics were reflective of Helms's (1990) autonomy status defined their racial identities and related lifestyle choices. Findings are conceptualized within the framework of Helms's (1990, 1995) theory of White racial identity development. Suggestions are intended to enhance White racial identity theory and provide empirical support for characteristics of Whites who are engaged in antiracist activities.

Family-Based Music Therapy: Family Therapists' Perspectives, Beth Nemesh

Expressive Therapies Dissertations

ABSTRACT The purpose of this mixed methods study was to explore the use of musical interventions borrowed from music therapy in a family therapy context. Furthermore, the study aimed to move beyond current application of family-music therapy that focuses on a child, a member with special needs, or families with additional diagnoses to non-clinical families seeking therapy, focusing on the family as an entity. This research was based on the premise that engaging in musical activities is a natural, common endeavor that does not require special musical skills. This does not replace the immense body of knowledge needed for conventional …

Doctorate In Family Therapy Curriculum, Nova Southeastern University

College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences Course Catalogs

No abstract provided.

An Exploration Of Home-Based Therapists’ Supervisory Experiences: A Phenomenological Inquiry, Cherre Camper

Department of Family Therapy Dissertations and Applied Clinical Projects

In-home family therapy has become one of the most common options of treatment for providing services to families who do not typically utilize a private clinic (Lawson, 2005; Reiter, 2000; Yorgason, McWey, & Felts, 2005). Researchers have given some attention to the topic of home-based therapy and to general supervision, but little attention has focused on the actual supervision experiences of home-based therapy providers. This phenomenological study explored the supervision experiences of seven past and current in-home therapists: marriage and family therapists (MFTs) and social workers (MSWs). Semi-structured interviews were conducted with the participants, and data was analyzed to develop …

Enhancing The Couple Alliance And Developing A Dyadic Orientation In Discursive Couples Therapy: A Conversation Analysis Of Therapists', Samira Y. Garcia

Department of Family Therapy Dissertations and Applied Clinical Projects

The purpose of this study is to develop an interpretative understanding of how discursive therapists’ linguistic actions enhance the couple alliance. Additionally, this study includes an exploration of whether these models hold up to a common factors conversation in the practice of couples therapy. The couple alliance is the central relationship in couples therapy. Previous research suggests that therapists’ actions might have an effect on enhancing this alliance by creating a dyadic orientation. In postmodern/discursive models of practice, therapists’ actions have gone mostly unexplored, leaving therapists with little understanding of what is done in the process of couples therapy that …

Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis: A Contemporary Phenomenological Approach, Raissa M. Miller, Casey A. Barrio Minton

Counselor Education Faculty Publications and Presentations

Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) is a contemporary qualitative research method grounded in phenomenology, hermeneutics, and idiography. The philosophical principles and rigorous methodology make this approach well suited for research in counselor education and supervision. This primer introduces counselor educators to IPA theory and methodology and discusses considerations for implementation.

Social Grief: A Grounded Theory Of Utilizing Status Updates On Facebook As A Contemporary Ritual, Celese Catania-Opris

Department of Family Therapy Dissertations and Applied Clinical Projects

The popular Social Networking Site, Facebook, offers its users the ability tocommunicate with others from all over the globe. Individuals can create a virtual identity for themselves enabling members to call, message, and locate others in a matter of seconds. The number of Facebook users appears to increase; yet, the number of members who die daily is not normally accounted. Facebook now permits the memorialization ofthe deceased’s profile. This allows members to continue commenting, sharing photos and videos, and visiting the deceased’s Facebook page. This trend led to the central question of this study, “What benefits, if any, are individuals …

My Dance With Cancer: An Autoethnographic Exploration Of The Journey, Vardine K. Simeus

Department of Family Therapy Dissertations and Applied Clinical Projects

Sometimes when a person who has been diagnosed with cancer finds out that his or her cancer returned and continuously has to go for surgeries, treatments, regular follow-ups, and continued overtime to deal with the same life-threatening illness, he or she can actually feel frozen due to feeling depressed and anxious in not knowing how to move forward with life. Dance is a metaphor used in this study to move forward. Psychotherapy can offer major benefits to help cancer patients cope with the depression, anxiety, stress, and other emotional reactions that often accompany a cancer diagnosis (Stuyck, 2008). Many studies …